Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Well I think I have enough of the basic mods completed to finally start a project thread. I'll do a few posts to bring things up to speed since it has been about 2 years from when I purchased the car.

About 2 years ago I finally found the perfect Talon after almost 2 years of searching. I found a 98' Eagle Talon TSI AWD 2 owner, never smoked in, Mobil 1 it's entire life, and records of all maintenance since it was 1 year old. Fully loaded, 68,000 miles, rust free and in excellent condition. But there was a catch. The car was in Loveland Colorado.

After much persuasion I convinced my Wife to let us get the loan and fly out to pick up the car. We cashed in all of our saved change (pennies, nickels, etc) and we had enough to buy 2 one way tickets out to Colorado. We were going on a limb as if the car was not as promised we could not afford to fly or rent our way back.

When we got there we found the car to be excatly as promised and in amazing condition. One of the first things we did was drive up into the mountains at the Rocky Mountain National Park and up a dirt truck only path. Thank goodness it was all wheel drive as it was too narrow to turn back. Then coming down the mountain roads was a blast! Amazing scenery and wildlife out there.

Attached is how the car looked when I first saw it.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

After much saving a friend in Monticello needed to sell his rims and tires and this became one of my first mods. Motegi 18X8 rims wrapped in Falcon Z's. It helped with some of the wheel gap but more was needed and came later.

Then A K&N FIPK went in, Dejon Tool UIC and 1G BOV, and the BCS mod. That made for a more responsive car and it sure hugged the road better.

I couldn't wait to see the stock rims gone. Those were terrible! Attached is the car after the "new" rims and tires went on with lowered suspension. Photo Credit: Shanna (Wife)

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

With things starting to change and weird sputtering when in boost I then changed direction a bit. I installed the A pillar 2 gauge pod and hooked up a 30/30 Cobalt Boost/vac gauge and a blinky O2 sensor gauge.

Then went on to change to plugs, wires, alternator. things were better but not perfect. The NGK BPR7ES seemed to work best and needed to be replaced less. I then also switched to Royal Purple oil.

Later I installed a Hallman Pro Boost controller to stop the Boost Spike problems I was having.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

By now it was Christmas '06 and Santa was good to me. It was time to finally get the Full Timing Belt Job completed. While in I also took advantage of a great sale and had MAP do the work.

They installed Tokico Illumina 5 Way adjustable on all 4 corners paired up with Eibach Pro Kit springs. These took care of the rest of my wheel gap and the adjustable shocks is a blast. Great ride quality is still possible for longer trips.

With the new belts and timing job the car finally was running really good. I couldn't wait for spring to permanently take it out of winter storage for the season.

Once spring came with a fresh oil change and installing a fuel pump re-wire kit from Forced Performance I thought it would be great to get it out to LSE's Dyno day Spring Opener. It would have been better if my FPR was seeing boost reference. I pulled an embarassing 157 Max AWHP.

I also had some road time enough to know I need an alignment and probably a camber kit since the car dropped almost 2".

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Wow sounds like a pretty well maintaned car! Any future plans?

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

I had another opportunity to have some more work done to the car so the next thing I couldn't tackle myself was the exhaust. I worked with MAP again to plan for the future and decided to go 3".

Kyle fabbed up a great system putting in a 3" Megan Racing Down Pipe, 3" Magnaflow High Flow Cat, and 3" Custom Cat-Back to a 3" inlet - 4" Outlet Megan Racing Muffler.

I am starting to get used to the exhaust and it has a great Deep tone to it but around town it is a bit on the Ricey side due to volume and drone but definitely worth the pay off. It did throw a CEL for about the next 100 miles then after a ECU reset is now fine.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Thanks!
Well I have ordered an AFC NEO and hope to get the fuel under control. I still go to lean anything over 12-14 PSI range. I know I'll need tuning for that.

Down the road I am planning on a Big T-28 from Forced Performance. I have changed my turbo plan a few times but it seems that the Big T-28 will fit my plans to have a very streetable, reliable car that I can still realistically take on trips.

I want very usable power and quick spool. It is more about the fun then the big HP numbers. Someone will always be faster so I want to focus more on getting the most from my set up. Maybe get between 250 and 300 WHP someday.

I know my clutch won't make it to next spring so I thing some sort of SouthBend will be a good option.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

EXCELLENT write-up! Keep us updated as things progress! Sounds like you have done a nice job of keeping it on the road, nice and streetable!

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

If anyone has any comments or suggestions on future mods feel free to post up. Has anyone had experience with the Big T-28?

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Not me but wow nice so far. The FP Big T28 sounds fine. Maybe some 550's to help with the fuel. Unless you done that already. You do not have to go massive with the Injectors yet. But if you are planing to get that T28 get some bigger injectors. Like how the car is clean and looks nice. I love that rear spoiler on the 2g's.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

I would recommend if possible to get an Eprom ecu for your car.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

I don't plan on running Link so I do not know if that would be necessary. I should figure out how to use my laptop as a logger though. Hopefully the AFC can tune me far enough.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

I don't know if you can do the samething on a 2g Eprom, but on a 1G it does wonders. For example elimnate the dreaded fuel cut, change fuel mapping, compensate(sp) for bigger injectors (SAFC only can do so much once you move up to bigger injector) and other mods. If they would of release Link for 1G when I purchase my SAFC2 awhile back. I would of gone with the Link. If it is not too late. You might want to go the Link route.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

That's the turbo I've been running for over 2 years now, I am pretty happy with it. I can get full boost (18lbs) around 2700 rpms. I use 650 injectors.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

What do you use to tune with? That is great spool! I think that the T-28 will be the ticket.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

this sounds like a really clean talon..... real clean. And the reason for the eprom is for a custom burned chip to the injectors and boost, and then using the safc for fine tuning.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Can the burn be done by the local shops? Until I change the turbo I am guessing I can still tune enough with the SAFC Neo right? I am planning on an AFPR and injectors soon. But the turbo will be some time yet.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Yes local shops can burn the chips for you. You just need to have an EPROM ecu.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Well I finally got around to getting some more basics done. I needed to do a boost leak test, cut the bov tube in the intake pipe, and add a cheap "catch can" from the valve cover.

I built a rigged boost leak tester with random parts I had thanks to Home Depot, Checker Auto, and Northern Tool. I was able to test to 20psi before the tester popped off and I buttoned up some minor items.

While I had the air filter and intake pipe off I cut the inner BOV Tube to help things breath easier. The BOV sounds a little nicer now too as an added plus.

I also added a Fram G2 fuel filter as a "catch can". There was a fair amount of oil getting into the intake so I cleaned things up and added this. I should probably pull the side mount and clean that out soon too.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

After getting some basics done I wired in an AFC NEO.

Now I know DSM Link is like the bible around here but the NEO is an affordable option for where I am at with the project. MAP got me a great deal on it so it was a too good to pass up.

The install was easy and the directions provided were accurate. I think it will be a good platform to learn from and it has more set points than past models. I do not have any corrections set yet so that will be the fun part and I'd like to get a wideband soon to replace Blinky. One step at a time I guess.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Well the $3 "catch can" throws CELS and makes an eerie sound. Not sure why but I pulled it out for now and everything is back to normal. Also found a connector off by the FPR. Strange since I haven't worked in that corner for a long time now. I had code P0443 and P1500 show up but are now cleared and haven't returned yet. The car actually seemed more responsive before the fixes though.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Well after a great event at DB for the Fall '07 Dyno Day I started to look closer at the charts and noticed some interesting numbers

Back in spring at LSE my car made 143.2WHP and about 181WTQ. It was listed wrong in the previous posts. My FPR was not seeing boost reference and a few other little things were not up to par. That was on 93 octane and about 18psi with about 21psi spike. The HP peaked at ~4000RPM and slowly tapers. TQ peaked like a mountain at 3800RPM then drops as quick as it climbed. I do not have the boost and AFR charts to compare.

This fall at DB the only changes I made was the installation of a full 3" exhaust. I ran lower octane and lower boost 17 spike and 16psi steady and on not so great plugs. Max WHP was 163.0 and max WTQ was 186 with a slow drop after. Peak HP was ~5100RPM and drops slowly after that. AFR was on the rich side between 10 and 11.

I am new at interpreting these charts so it has been fun to dig into this a bit. I have since set a -5% on my high throttle fuel map on the AFC Neo and am guessing that will bring the AFR to stoich or close on full throttle.

Very low numbers compared to others but this shows a 19.8 WHP gain by doing the exhaust and minor fixes on lower octane and lower boost. Not bad I guess. I am So ready to get rid of the T-25!

Any feedback is welcome. I don't have much to compare to since nobody leaves the T-25 as long as I have lol. :nope:

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Good post man! Glad you leaned it out a little, it was very rich on the dyno! Post up a scan/pic of your dyno charts if you get a chance.

I'd say the next thing would be a turbo upgrade. A simple Evo3 16g (MHI) would do wonders on your car. Just port the crap out of your stock o2 housing and the turbine housing of the 16g and run ~15psi at first. Get a set of Evo 8 or Evo 9 injectors (560cc) for ~$100 and stick them in, and get a tune. Your car will be WAY up on power and you will be LOVING LIFE!

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Here are the Dyno Charts...

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Stoich on gas is 14.7:1 and you don't want to be anywhere near that.

On the blue run, it looks like it pulled timing past 5300RPMs.

The learned part throttle fuel trims are also affecting the WOT fueling on those runs up to 4500RPMs, that is why there is that jump leaner there.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

New winter Update - The best mod so far...

I just made my last payment on the Talon and own it free and clear now! No more new car loans for me. At least for a few years I hope.

I have it parked in the garage and I am looking forward to spring. I have some concerns to take care of before any fun mods continue like the clutch, valve cover gasket, head gasket (hopefully not), tires, brakes etc. She is starting to show her age now.

I need to do a camber correction kit before I put new rubber on. The lower springs threw everything off up front pretty bad and will need a good all wheel alignment. Just to do all the maintenance and put a decent clutch in adds up to alot of cash$$$. Seems like upgrading the turbo is still a long ways away. I do not think I can get much more out of the T-2small.

Spring fever is kicking in hearing everyone talk about nodding and running their evos during the winter. I started out getting this car for a year round DD sports car and it has quickly become a seasonal car unless I want to buy 2 sets of tires for it.

One mod at a time I guess.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

That is one friggen gorgious car!!!!! Get more pics up!!!

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Per Request:
LSE Dyno Day
http://readjohncarson.com/Images/Talon/lsedd1.JPG
http://readjohncarson.com/Images/Talon/lsedd2.JPG
07 Mitsu Cookout
http://readjohncarson.com/Images/Talon/mco2.JPG
Man I miss summer
http://readjohncarson.com/Images/Talon/talon3.JPG

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Very nice!

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

I still have the T28 and some 550's lying around if you are intersted... Just let me know. Car looks nice, have to go out for some wings and beers again.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

It will be a while before I get to swap the turbo and injectors. I am surprised you still have them. It would be good to go hang out again. St Cloud really needs to get on the ball in this scene.

I think I will try the delayed gratification theory and save up for something like FP's 18G and a nice front mount.

Who knows, I will probably cave in and jump on a good deal when I get tired of waiting. T-28 is an easier install. Was yours a Big28?

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Yea, its the FPT28

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Old School Photoshop
http://readjohncarson.com/Images/Talon/Talon2.jpg

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Vid of the past to present decent cars I've had.

Spring always gets me thinking about cruising and cars.

A Body to G Body to F Body to 2G DSM
note - .WMV file

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

That 442 looks pretty nice! and how did you manage to squeeze a 3' exhaust under your car? That's amazing! ;)

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Not sure what you mean.:wink:

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Definite improvement over the old rides. Looks like the stuff my classmates rocked in high school, but a few years older. :-)

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Back on the road again! :woohoo1:
Pulled the Talon out of hibernation. Replaced the clutch master cylinder, did an oil change (back to Mobil 1) and gave her a quick wash.

Runs great. Played around with the AFC Neo some more. Re-adjusted the boost. 18 was bit higher than I remember having it set at when I parked her and not really needed for DD duty.

Alignment and possible camber kit is next on the list. Tires are wearing pretty bad. Filled up the tank; heading down to the cities on tues. 3.60/gal holy crap. :mad:

We cruised up to Burger Time tonight after a quick car wash. Felt a bit like summer and the familiar feelings of being profiled in cloud town again.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

This was fun.
http://readjohncarson.com/Images/Talon/creeper.JPG

It happened when I first went to slide under the car. I've barely used it yet. Oh well. There's always cardboard.

Re: Project Talon - Screaming Eagle
 

Creepers are for pansies. In my previous comment I said 3' (three foot) exhaust because in one of your previous posts that's what you said. I'm sure you meant 3" (three inch)